Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Metal roof vs tile roof comes down to price, weight and the underlayment clock. A metal roof costs $5 to $16 per square foot installed and a tile roof $7 to $25, per HomeGuide’s metal roof cost guide (November 2025) and its tile roof cost guide. Metal panels weigh about 62 to 160 pounds per 100 square feet in maker data, while concrete and clay tile weigh about 550 to 1,575 pounds, so tile often needs a framing check. Tiles can outlast the house, but the underlayment under them wears out in 20 to 30 years, per Fixr, and lifting the tiles to replace it costs about $6,000 to $10,000 on a 2,000 square foot roof.
What is a metal roof?
A metal roof is a system of steel, aluminum, zinc, or copper panels or shingles fastened over a deck and underlayment. The two common formats are standing seam, with concealed clips and raised vertical seams, and exposed-fastener panels screwed directly through the metal. Coatings like Galvalume and painted PVDF finishes protect the surface. Metal Sales lists its Classic Rib exposed-fastener panel at 0.62 pounds per square foot in 29 gauge and 0.86 in 26 gauge in the Classic Rib product manual, and DECRA lists its stone-coated steel tile and shake lines at 150 to 160 pounds per square installed in its April 2023 components chart.
What is a tile roof?
A tile roof is made of individual clay or concrete tiles laid in overlapping courses over a waterproof underlayment that does the actual water shedding. Clay tile is fired earthenware, often the terracotta or barrel profile seen on Spanish and Mediterranean homes. Concrete tile is molded cement, usually cheaper, made in flat, low, and high profiles. Eagle’s Bel Air, Golden Eagle and Ponderosa concrete tiles weigh about 970 pounds per 100 square feet in standard weight and 720 in the Eaglelite version, and its Malibu Eaglelite drops to 550, per Eagle’s technical specifications. Ludowici’s clay profiles run from 900 pounds per square (Spanish 13 inch barrel) to 1,575 pounds (Provincial shingle tile), per Ludowici’s product data.
Metal roof vs tile roof: the comparison table
Costs below are HomeGuide’s national installed ranges per square foot, and weights are the makers’ published pounds per 100 square feet. Regional labor rates, roof pitch and tear-off move every row, so use them for budgeting before you collect written bids.
| Factor | Metal roof | Tile roof (clay/concrete) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | ~$5 to $16 per sq ft | ~$7 to $25 per sq ft (clay at the high end) | HomeGuide metal (Nov 2025) and tile cost guides |
| Lifespan | 30 to 80-plus years by metal and climate | 50 to 100-plus years (tiles); underlayment 20 to 30 years | HomeGuide metal FAQ; Fixr underlayment guide (Jan 2025) |
| Weight | 62 to 86 lb per square (Metal Sales Classic Rib, 29 to 26 ga); 150 to 160 lb (DECRA stone-coated) | About 550 to 970 lb per square for concrete (Eagle, lightweight to standard); about 900 to 1,575 lb for clay (Ludowici) | Maker data sheets |
| Minimum slope | 1/4:12 standing seam; 3:12 lapped panels without sealant | 2-1/2:12, with double underlayment below 4:12 | 2021 IRC R905.10.2, R905.3.2, R905.3.3 |
| Structural needs | Fits standard truss framing | Often needs reinforcement if not pre-engineered | Engineer’s load check |
| Fire rating | Class A (non-combustible) | Class A (non-combustible) | ASTM E108 / UL 790 listings |
| Wind resistance | Rated to ~110 to 180 mph by product | 150-plus mph on a reinforced, fastened system | Product approvals |
| Impact rating | UL 2218 Class 4 available | Class 4 available (UL 2218 or FM 4473 by product) | Product listings |
| Install difficulty | Fast, fewer trades | Slow, heavy, specialist labor | Editorial |
| Best for | Snow, wildfire, budget-to-mid, quick installs | Hot, sunny, coastal, Spanish/Mediterranean homes | Editorial |
Cost: upfront and over 50 years
Metal is usually cheaper to buy and tile is often cheaper to keep, so the winner depends on your time horizon. HomeGuide prices galvanized or Galvalume steel at $5 to $13 per square foot installed and standing seam at $9 to $16, against concrete tile at $7 to $19 and clay tile at $8 to $25. On a 2,000-square-foot roof that is $10,000 to $32,000 for metal and $14,000 to $50,000 for tile on day one. Over a longer hold, tile narrows the distance because it rarely needs full replacement, though its underlayment and any structural work carry their own bills.
| Roof type | Installed $ per sq ft | 2,000 sq ft roof | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel | $5 to $12 | $10,000 to $24,000 | HomeGuide metal roof cost (Nov 2025) |
| Stone-coated steel (metal tile look) | $7 to $13 | $14,000 to $26,000 | HomeGuide: $700 to $1,300 per square |
| Standing seam steel | $9 to $16 | $18,000 to $32,000 | HomeGuide metal roof cost (Nov 2025) |
| Concrete tile | $7 to $19 | $14,000 to $38,000 | HomeGuide tile roof cost |
| Barrel or Mission tile | $7.50 to $23.50 | $15,000 to $47,000 | HomeGuide tile roof cost |
| Clay tile | $8 to $25 | $16,000 to $50,000 | HomeGuide tile roof cost |
Here is the number most comparisons skip. A tile roof’s tiles may last 75 to 100 years, but the underlayment beneath them lasts only about 20 to 30 years, according to Fixr. Re-laying it means lifting every tile, replacing the membrane, and resetting the tiles, with breakage along the way. Fixr prices that job at $3 to $5 per square foot, or about $6,000 to $10,000 for a 2,000 square foot roof, and America Roofing quotes $4 to $6 per square foot in Arizona. It can recur more than once over the tile’s life. Our tile roof underlayment replacement cost guide has the line items. Over a 50-year hold, metal can land at a lower total cost of ownership even when its upfront price matches tile, because it avoids that recurring tear-off (a Roofing Brief calculation based on the cost and lifespan ranges cited here). We track how material prices have moved in our roofing prices versus inflation analysis. For the same lifetime math against asphalt, see our tile vs shingle roof comparison.
Worked example: 2,000 sq ft roof held 50 years
The table adds Fixr’s $6,000 to $10,000 underlayment re-lay to the tile rows: once if the underlayment lasts 30 years (replaced in year 30), twice if it lasts 20 (years 20 and 40). Figures are in current dollars with no inflation, and the metal rows assume the roof reaches year 50 without a second roof; a metal roof that lasts only 40 years would add a second install.
| Roof | Day-one cost | Underlayment re-lays in 50 years | 50-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing seam steel | $18,000 to $32,000 | None | $18,000 to $32,000 |
| Concrete tile | $14,000 to $38,000 | 1 to 2 ($6,000 to $20,000) | $20,000 to $58,000 |
| Clay tile | $16,000 to $50,000 | 1 to 2 ($6,000 to $20,000) | $22,000 to $70,000 |
Weight and the structural question
Weight is the factor that quietly decides whether tile is even an option. A metal roof adds roughly 62 to 160 pounds per 100 square feet across the Metal Sales and DECRA products above; concrete tile adds about 550 to 970 pounds (Eagle’s lightweight and standard lines) and clay about 900 to 1,575 pounds (Ludowici’s profiles) over the same area. Metal drops onto almost any existing frame without changes.
| Product | Type | Weight per square (100 sq ft) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Sales Classic Rib, 29 ga | Exposed-fastener steel | 62 lb (0.62 psf) | Metal Sales Classic Rib manual |
| Metal Sales Classic Rib, 26 ga | Exposed-fastener steel | 86 lb (0.86 psf) | Metal Sales Classic Rib manual |
| DECRA Tile, Shake XD, Shingle XD | Stone-coated steel | 150 lb installed | DECRA components chart (Apr 2023) |
| DECRA Villa Tile | Stone-coated steel | 160 lb installed | DECRA components chart (Apr 2023) |
| Eagle Malibu, Eaglelite | Lightweight concrete tile | 550 lb | Eagle technical specifications |
| Eagle Bel Air, standard | Concrete tile | 970 lb | Eagle technical specifications |
| Ludowici Spanish 13 inch | Clay barrel tile | 900 lb | Ludowici product page |
| Ludowici Straight Barrel Mission 16 | Clay two-piece barrel | 1,190 lb | Ludowici product page |
| Ludowici Provincial | Clay shingle tile | 1,575 lb | Ludowici product page |
The rafter span tables in the International Residential Code are laid out for roof dead loads of 10 or 20 pounds per square foot, and engineered trusses are designed for whatever load the truss designer assumed. Standard-weight concrete tile alone is about 9 to 9.7 pounds per square foot in Eagle’s data, before sheathing and underlayment, so a frame designed around the lower figure may have little room for it. Metal fits easily. Putting tile on a frame not designed for it can require sistering trusses, adding beams, or partial rebuilds, which adds cost and time that an engineer and contractor should price in writing. Always get a structural assessment before pricing a tile conversion.
Code rules that change the choice
Slope is the code rule most likely to rule one material out. The 2021 IRC sets these floors in Chapter 9, and makers can set a higher minimum: Ludowici recommends 4:12 for its Spanish 13 inch barrel and 5:12 for its Straight Barrel Mission 16.
| Rule | Metal | Tile | Code section |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum slope | 1/4:12 standing seam; 1/2:12 lapped with sealant; 3:12 lapped without sealant | 2-1/2:12 | IRC R905.10.2; R905.3.2 |
| Metal shingles (including stone-coated) | 3:12 minimum | Not applicable | IRC R905.4.2 |
| Low-slope underlayment | Per maker and R905.1.1 | Two layers between 2-1/2:12 and 4:12 | IRC R905.3.3 |
Wind, fire, and impact performance
Both materials reach the top tier on fire and can be engineered for severe wind, with different failure modes. Metal and tile both carry Class A fire ratings, the highest for combustibility, which matters in wildfire zones. On wind, metal products are rated from roughly 110 to 180 mph depending on panel and fastening; tile systems can hold 150-plus mph when tiles are mechanically fastened and the structure is reinforced, though loose or foam-set tiles can become debris in extreme storms. For a ranking across every material, see our guide to the best roof for hurricane zones.
Both can earn a Class 4 impact rating, the level that survives a two-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet, which insurers reward. Metal dents under large hail without leaking; tile can crack on impact and shed individual tiles, which are then replaced piece by piece. For a deeper look at fire performance by roof type, see our data on how Class A roofs perform in wildfires.
Insurance, energy, and resale
Insurance credits are set by carrier and state, not by material. In Florida, section 627.0629 of the Florida Statutes requires residential rate filings to include discounts or credits for construction that improves roof covering performance and wind uplift resistance, so either roof can qualify when it is documented on a wind mitigation inspection. Ask your insurer for a written quote on each option before you choose. See how carriers price roofs in our breakdown of insurance premiums by roof type and age.
On energy, compare the aged solar reflectance of the exact panel or tile color in the Cool Roof Rating Council directory rather than the material name, since a dark tile and a dark metal panel both absorb heat. Tile laid on battens leaves an air gap under each piece that vents heat. On resale, tile matches Mediterranean and Spanish-style streets, while metal suits buyers in snow and rural markets who want fewer repairs.
Metal tile roof: the stone-coated middle option
A metal tile roof is stone-coated or stamped steel formed to look like barrel or flat tile. HomeGuide prices stone-coated steel at $700 to $1,300 per square installed ($7 to $13 per square foot), and DECRA’s Villa Tile weighs about 160 pounds per square, roughly one sixth of Eagle’s 970 pound standard concrete tile. The IRC treats it as a metal shingle, so it needs at least a 3:12 slope under R905.4.2, not the 2-1/2:12 allowed for real tile. Our metal tile roof guide covers the profiles.
Maintenance and repairs
Metal asks for less routine care; tile is easier to spot-repair but hides a bigger clock in the underlayment. Metal Sales’ Classic Rib install guide calls for about 40 screws per square on 2 foot panels and 80 on 3 foot panels, and each of those gasketed screws is a point to check on an exposed-fastener roof; standing seam hides its clips. Tile rarely fails as tiles, but cracked or slipped pieces need swapping, flashing needs upkeep, and walking a tile roof risks breaking tiles, so repairs usually call for a specialist. The underlayment replacement, every 20 to 30 years per Fixr, remains the defining long-term maintenance event for tile.
Which roof should you choose?
Match the roof to your framing, climate, and how long you will stay. Use this decision table first, then the checklist below it.
| If your situation is | Lean toward | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Roof pitch under 2-1/2:12 | Standing seam metal | Tile is not allowed below 2-1/2:12 (IRC R905.3.2); standing seam goes to 1/4:12 |
| Frame built for asphalt shingles, no engineer’s letter | Metal or stone-coated steel | Adds 62 to 160 lb per square versus 550 to 1,575 lb for tile |
| Budget under about $8 per sq ft installed | Exposed-fastener steel | HomeGuide: $5 to $12 per sq ft vs $7 to $19 for concrete tile |
| You will sell within 20 years | Metal | Lower day-one cost; tile’s long life is not banked |
| Holding 50 years, frame already rated for tile | Concrete tile, or price both | Tiles outlast the hold; budget 1 to 2 underlayment re-lays at $6,000 to $10,000 each (Fixr) |
| Want the tile look on a light frame | Stone-coated steel tile | About 150 to 160 lb per square (DECRA); needs 3:12 slope |
| Florida or another wind-credit state | Either, documented | Credit follows the wind mitigation report, not the material |
- Choose metal if your budget is tight to moderate, your existing frame was built for shingles and cannot take another 550 lb or more per square, you want a fast install, or you live in heavy-snow or wildfire country where shedding and non-combustibility matter.
- Choose tile if you own or are building a Spanish, Mediterranean, or Southwestern home, you live in a hot or coastal climate, your frame is already engineered for 550 to 1,575 lb per square of tile, and you plan to stay long enough to bank tile’s multi-decade lifespan.
- Get a structural assessment first whenever you are converting from a lighter roof to tile; the framing cost can swing the entire decision.
- Run the long-term math, not just the sticker. Price the underlayment re-lay at $6,000 to $10,000 per 2,000 sq ft (Fixr) once or twice across a 50-year hold, then compare against a single metal roof over the same window.
- Weigh resale by neighborhood. Tile can lift value where it fits the architecture; metal reads as premium in snow, rural, and modern-design markets.
Still deciding at the structure level? See our guide to flat roof versus pitched roof.
Frequently asked questions
Which lasts longer, a metal roof or a tile roof?
Tile lasts longer on paper. Clay and concrete tiles can survive 50 to 100-plus years, while HomeGuide puts metal at 30 to 80-plus years by metal and climate. The catch is the waterproof underlayment beneath tile, which wears out in 20 to 30 years per Fixr and must be replaced by lifting every tile. Metal usually reaches the end of its service life in one piece.
Is a metal roof cheaper than a tile roof?
Usually yes upfront. Installed metal runs about $5 to $16 per square foot versus roughly $7 to $25 for tile, per HomeGuide, with clay barrel tile at the top of the range. Over a long hold the gap narrows because tile rarely needs full replacement, but tile’s recurring underlayment re-lay ($6,000 to $10,000 on 2,000 sq ft, per Fixr) and any structural work can erase that advantage.
Does a tile roof need structural reinforcement?
Often, yes. Concrete tile weighs about 550 to 970 pounds per 100 square feet in Eagle’s published data and clay about 900 to 1,575 in Ludowici’s, while metal weighs about 62 to 160 in Metal Sales and DECRA data. A frame sized for asphalt shingles can carry metal but may not carry tile. Adding tile to an unprepared frame may need sistering or new beams, priced by an engineer and contractor. Get a structural assessment before committing.
Which is better for hurricanes and high wind?
Both can be engineered for severe wind. Metal products are rated to roughly 110 to 180 mph depending on panel and fastening. Tile can hold 150-plus mph when tiles are mechanically fastened over a reinforced structure, but loose or foam-set tiles can break loose in extreme storms. Installation quality matters as much as the material.
Which roof gets a bigger insurance discount?
Neither by default. Credits depend on the carrier, the state and the roof’s documented wind and impact ratings; Florida Statutes section 627.0629 requires wind mitigation credits in residential rate filings for either material. Ask your insurer to quote both options in writing before you decide.
Is a metal roof noisier than a tile roof in rain?
Not meaningfully when installed correctly. Modern metal roofs sit over solid decking and underlayment, which dampen sound to levels similar to other roofs. The drumming people remember comes from bare metal over open framing, as on old barns; Metal Sales lists its Classic Rib panel for either solid substrate or open framing, and the open-framing install is the louder one. Tile is quiet by mass. For most homes, rain noise should not decide the choice.